PhrasesHub

Hush puppies

    Definitions

      • discourage someone
        Advise against engaging in a particular activity or task, cautioning that it will not result in any positive outcome or benefit

      • calm down
        Encourage someone to be quiet or calm, often in a soothing or comforting manner

    Examples of Hush puppies

    • The teacher told the rowdy students to put a sock in it and behave, effectively asking them to be quiet like hush puppies.

      In this idiom, "hush puppies" refer to balls of cornmeal batter, deep-fried and often served as a side dish in Southern cuisine. The term is applied figuratively to people who are quiet or obedient, as the teacher requested the students to be like these fried treats in becoming less noisy and more compliant.

    • Emily was hesitant to speak up during the meeting, but her boss gently nudged her, saying that everyone had ears to hear like hush puppies and urged her to share her ideas.

      In this idiom, "hush puppies" represent the ability to listen attentively, taking a cue from the fact that these fried treats were often served as a side dish to candy and Bourbon balls while listening to southern gospel singers in church. The implication, therefore, is that people should exhibit the same level of diligent attention they would give to hush puppies when listening in a meeting or a session where ideas are being shared.

    • The author theorized that if the world could be more silent like hush puppies, then everybody would be able to hear the whispers of the divine.

      In this idiom, "hush puppies" indicate the need for quiet introspection and reflection, as these fried foods could permit the consumption of other sweets like candy and Bourbon balls in silence, during church ceremonies where whispers of the divine were apparently hearable. The metaphorical use of hush puppies, therefore, signifies the importance of being still and serene to listen to the whispers of the divine.

    • Sarah was correcting her daughter's math homework, when her son piped in, "Mom, can't you see I'm watching TV like hush puppies here?"

      In this idiom, "hush puppies" represent the practice of being engrossed in something, such as watching television, without any interruption or disturbance. The term originated from the fact that hush puppies, once deep-fried, are entirely consumed without any residue remaining. Therefore, when someone is deeply engrossed in something, like a TV show, they should be as focussed as one would be while eating hush puppies with undivided attention.

    • The crowd hushed as the fireworks began to pour into the sky, creating a dazzling display. The food vendor yelled out, "Get your hush puppies here!" But his words were lost in the deafening roar of the fireworks.

      In this example, "hush puppies" is being used figuratively to describe something being drowned out by a louder sound, similar to how hush puppies are eaten quietly to avoid disrupting the peaceful atmosphere around the campfire.

    • The teacher cleared her throat and said, "Class, settle down. Let's put a hush on this chatter and get back to work."

      Here, "hush puppies" is being used to mean "be quiet" or "stop making noise." It's a fun, Southern way of saying this.

    • As the couple walked through the secluded woods, they heard a rustling in the bushes. The man whispered, "Shh! Don't make a sound. Let's be like hush puppies and wait for whatever's out there."

      This example shows "hush puppies" being used metaphorically to mean "be quiet and stealthy." In this context, "hush puppies" is being compared to something that moves quietly and doesn't make a lot of noise.

    • The loudspeaker blared out an announcement, drowning out the sound of the waves crashing against the shore. The lifeguard yelled, "Swimmers, keep your heads above water! This is no time for hush puppies!"

      In this final example, "hush puppies" is being used to mean "getting into trouble" or "making careless mistakes." By comparing it to something that's eaten quietly, the speaker is implying that people shouldn't make careless mistakes when they should be paying attention to their safety. This is a unique and creative use of the idiom that highlights its versatility.


    Conclusion

    The idiom "hush puppies" can be used to discourage someone from a certain activity or to calm someone down.

    Origin of "Hush puppies"

    The origin of the idiom "hush puppies" is believed to have come from the American South, specifically from the Appalachian region. It is said that hunters and farmers used to make a simple cornmeal mixture to quiet their barking dogs. They would then fry the mixture, creating a small, savory treat that they called "hush puppies." Over time, the term became associated with the act of quieting someone or something down, eventually leading to the idiom's use in the English language. Today, "hush puppies" are also known as a type of fried cornmeal ball or patty, often served as a side dish in Southern cuisine.

    The idiom "hush puppies" has a unique and interesting origin tied to Southern American culture, and it has evolved to encompass both the act of discouraging someone and the act of calming someone down.